"Drake?"
The air grew tense as the pivotal moment between Team Solar and Team Astra unfolded. Ash's dispassionate demeanor left his opponents on edge, uncertain of his next move. Caution prevailed as they opted for a defensive stance, avoiding hasty actions that might jeopardize their advantageous position.
However, Ash's utterance of a single name gave rise to confusion rather than caution.
"It seems you finally get to have a turn in battle, Drake."
And as Ash concluded, his serene expression contorted into one of apparent agony. He fell to his knees, clutching his head with both hands and emitting pained grunts. His teeth clenched as the audible struggle played out before Team Solar.
Riley voiced the collective confusion, asking, "What the hell is going on?"
Lance maintained his composure, advising his team, "Do not get distracted. It might be a trap, so keep your guard up." His grip tightened on the spear he had conjured, ready for any threat.
Suddenly, everyone's focus on Ash intensified when they realized something unnatural was unfolding.
"What the..." Klaus whispered as he stepped closer to the forefront of the screen, accompanied by the other demigods. Even X fixed his gaze on the display as he witnessed Ash's hair slowly transitioning from its usual dark grey to a vibrant vermilion hue, starting from the roots.
"Lance, what do we do?" Riley inquired, her uncertainty mirrored in her teammates' expressions. Their well-laid plans hadn't accounted for this unforeseen turn of events.
Lance's steady response reassured his team, "Stay calm. Whatever is happening, it's better to be on defense. You cannot lose if he does not attack, so just stay where you are." He knew that wearing a worried expression would only cause his team to panic further.
Ash's grunts grew louder and then gradually softened as his hair completely changed color. His hands and skin also appeared different, taking on a paler hue than usual. However, he was too distant for most to discern these details.
Eventually, his screams subsided.
With his hands still covering his face while on his knees, Ash's condition remained a mystery to onlookers. Lance wrestled with his options, debating whether to maintain his position or disregard the ongoing battle to check on Ash's well-being.
The tense atmosphere continued to hold the spectators and combatants alike in its grip. Ash's right eye peeked through the slender gaps between his fingers, but it remained closed. His face was angled toward the ground, leaving everyone watching with bated breath.
Then, in a surprising turn, Ash gradually extended his left hand, still trembling slightly. His right hand still obscured his face, and his heavy breathing resonated through the air. His outstretched hand was directed toward Team Solar, specifically Link, and it shook with uncertainty.
"You sure he's fine, dude?" Shade asked, expressing his concern.
Suddenly, Ash's hand ceased shaking as he opened his visible eye, exposing a black sclera with vertical yellow pupils, reminiscent of a cat's eye.
Immediately after this strange occurrence, an explosion erupted at Link's chest, obliterating his lifeline and sending him hurtling several meters back. The team watched in disbelief as Link was rendered unconscious and began to dematerialize.
"What the hell???" Riley exclaimed, her gaze shifting between the dematerializing Link and the enigmatic Ash.
With the shocking turn of events, Ash rose from his kneeling position, his breathing transitioning from soft giggles to maniacal laughter, all while revealing his dramatically altered appearance.
Black eyes with yellow pupils, vermilion hair, and very pale skin, almost ash in color, but the most shocking among the changes that occurred were the two horns that had sprouted on Ash's forehead, about ten centimeters in length and curving upward.
"What the hell is that?" Shade asked in undeniable shock. Whatever it was, everyone was certain this was not Ash.
"I guess my hunch was right," a voice echoed from the spectator's location, and everyone present turned toward the transport podium. There, Quinn, alongside the rest of the eliminated members of Team Astra, had been transported back and was doing fine.
"You're all back," Trent replied with a smile.
"What hunch?" Klaus asked instantly, not wanting to waste any time on what was going on.
Quinn walked forward to where the demigods were with the rest of her team, and she decided to explain quickly.
"Well, when Riley cast her ability on the arena, the only way we could communicate with each other was through my telepathy since I could link our minds together. But while doing so, I noticed something... There wasn't a sole mind in Ash's head."
"What?" Mia asked. "You're saying he has, like, a parasite in him?"
"I don't think it's that easy," Quinn responded. "Ever since I watched the recording of the battle between X and Ash, I wondered why Ash was stated to be the strongest since X had the upper hand and would probably have won if the rules weren't present. Then I had a thought. It's normal for someone's defensive capabilities to trump their offensive, but why was Ash solely..."
"What are you trying to say?" Arthur cut in immediately, making Quinn realize that she had started her bad habit of over-explaining again.
"What I'm saying is... what if it's two minds in the same body?"
The demigods stared in shock and confusion before their attention was caught once more by the laughter that had filled the battlefield. And for the first time, he spoke.
"It's been so long since I felt the sensation of reality," the creature, who didn't appear to be Ash, stated. "You really should consider letting me out more often."
The creature's voice held a jagged tone, almost resembling that of a patient in an asylum.
"Who are you?" Lance inquired, his gaze fixed on the entity.
A silence hung in the air as the creature stared at the sky as if lost in thought. Its grin had transformed into an idle expression. Eventually, the entity said something.
"Fine. Since you strongly insist."
With that statement, its grin returned, and it focused its attention back on Team Solar as if it were responding to itself.
"Ash?" Riley asked the creature, seeking answers.
"Ash is currently unavailable. This is the presence of Drake," the creature identified itself.
Drake extended his hands outward, revealing long, sharp, talon-like nails. He arched his body forward, akin to a predator preparing to pounce.
"At Ash's request, I'm not allowed to kill or fatally wound my opponents," Drake revealed before his sinister grin widened. "But that doesn't mean I can't have some fun."
With the conclusion of his statement, an invisible yet thunderous explosion erupted at Drake's location. Before Shade could react and shift his gaze downward, Drake was already before him, claws aimed directly at Shade's lifeline.
There seemed to be no hope for Shade, as he struggled to react to the impending attack. In a flash, Lance appeared to Shade's left, swinging the spear he held, and striking Drake several meters to the right. The sequence of events occurred so rapidly that Shade was left momentarily bewildered before realizing that he had narrowly avoided elimination.
"Focus, Shade," Lance admonished him. Shade closed his eyes, shaking his head before responding, "Right. I'm sorry."
"You were able to react," Drake stated as he rose from his crouched position, fixating his gaze directly on Lance with curiosity. "Interesting."
Lance turned his attention to his weapon, realizing that his spear had shattered upon contact with Drake. Without hesitation, he flung the pieces of the broken spear, and they vanished into thin air before contacting the ground. On his other hand, a brand-new, pristine spear materialized.
"Greene!" Lance called out, his focus unwavering on Drake.
"On it," Riley responded, swiftly placing her hands on the ground. A swarm of roots surged forth from the earth ahead of her, charging at Drake with ferocious intent. However, Drake appeared entirely unfazed by their approach.
Before the roots could reach him, Drake slightly tilted both of his palms forward while maintaining eye contact with Lance. In an instant, a vicious blaze engulfed the oncoming roots, reducing them to ashes before they even had a chance to touch him.
Riley paused in shock but quickly redoubled her efforts, conjuring more roots from the ground.
"The same trick?" Drake remarked, his smile diminishing. Without hesitation, he lunged forward, accompanied by the sound of another explosion, reminiscent of the earlier encounter. As he advanced, the roots once again ignited and disintegrated before they could reach him. Drake continued his relentless charge, swiftly closing the distance to Riley. These events transpired in the blink of an eye, and Riley turned in disbelief at his sudden proximity.
In the blink of an eye, Drake reached Riley, who was still crouched on the ground. He unleashed a devastating kick with his right leg directly onto her left shoulder, while she was still crouched, sending her tumbling a short distance away. The force of her fall caused her to roll over her lifeline, resulting in her elimination from the game.
Surprisingly, Drake was seen holding Lance's spear back at his current location. It was evident that Lance had tried to intervene and prevent Riley's harm but had been unsuccessful. Drake turned his head to Lance, a smile playing upon his lips before he used his fists to crush the spear once more. Lance retreated upon witnessing this, and soon enough, the shattered spear vanished into thin air, as it had before.
Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.
"It appears this won't be an easy battle," Lance remarked, extending his right arm forward. Gradually, a long greatsword, reminiscent of the medieval weapons wielded by knights, materialized out of thin air as Lance firmly grasped it.
"I hope you're prepared," Lance declared to Drake, his demeanor exuding intimidation.
Drake's smile expanded once more, and he emitted a maniacal giggle before launching himself at Lance in combat.
Sparks erupted from the clash between Lance's blade and Drake's claws, their combat skills bordering on the supernatural. Drake effortlessly evaded some of Lance's attacks, and Lance reciprocated with equal agility. Shade marveled at how Lance handled the hefty sword with such apparent ease as if it were a mere dagger.
However, one fact was undeniable: Shade struggled to keep up with the fierce battle.
On occasion, Shade attempted to intervene and strike at Drake when an opportunity presented itself. Yet, he found himself easily dismissed by his opponent. Drake swiftly reacted to Shade's swings, countering them while remaining locked in combat with Lance. The lightning speed of the two fighters left Shade with little room to employ his shadow abilities effectively, as Drake was in near-constant motion.
"I'm utterly useless," Shade lamented internally as he stood in shock, observing the intense battle unfold before him.
Finally, at a certain point, Lance managed to employ his sword to propel Drake backward, pushing him a short distance away. Before Drake could regain his footing, Lance appeared before him and swung his blade vertically at his opponent.
The audience was astounded, fully aware that Lance's attack had the potential to severely injure or even worse, given its force and the nature of the weapon. As the sword drew nearer to Drake, he extended his right forearm, placing it between his face and the oncoming strike. And upon contact, the sword snapped in two.
"Whoa," Trent exclaimed. "He just blocked a sword with his bare arm."
"Cómo es eso posible?" Iris questioned, her eyes locked onto the screen.
The astonishment on everyone's faces was palpable as they continued to watch. Yet, it became apparent that Lance was unfazed by this development.
"Seems like your skin is tougher than usual," Lance remarked.
Drake collected himself, rising to his feet with his customary smile.
"Not so much that," Drake replied. "This is just standard demon-kind skin."
"I suspected as much," Lance said as he tossed the broken blade aside, returning it to the Divine Arsenal.
"So... what will you do next to entertain me?" Drake inquired, visibly reveling in their battle.
Suddenly, Drake's movements halted, his expression shifting to one of surprise.
"Oh..." Drake muttered, turning his gaze slowly toward Shade, who had his palms on the ground, indicating his use of his Binding Shadow ability.
"Where is the destruction in such a cowardly ability?" Drake taunted, still keeping his eyes fixed on Shade.
"I'm not concerned with that," Shade retorted. "My only goal is to win."
As Shade finished his statement, Drake managed to move one of his fingers, pointing it directly at Shade. In an instant, a massive explosion erupted at Shade's location, forcing him to release his ability and inflicting significant damage.
"These explosions..." Iris inquired from the spectator's vantage point. "How is he able to do that?"
The same question seemed to occupy everyone's thoughts as they observed the unfolding spectacle on the screen, attempting to decipher the mystery. However, as was often the case, Quinn had a notion of what might be transpiring.
"I have a theory," Quinn started.
"You always do," Klaus murmured softly.
"I think, based on what I've observed," Quinn began, "there are two consistent elements preceding the explosions. First, visual contact with the target area, and second, what appears to be specific hand gestures directing the attack."
It seemed like a reasonable hypothesis. Although the mechanics behind Drake's abilities remained a mystery, the focus was on understanding how he executed them.
The consensus among the observers was that Drake could conjure not only explosions but also flames, given his actions against Riley and her roots.
Returning to the ongoing battle, Lance rushed with concern as Shade was forcibly pushed back, clearly suffering from the blast Drake had unleashed. Drake, however, wore a malevolent grin, seemingly unperturbed by the chaos he had initiated.
"Are you alright?" Lance inquired of Shade.
"I-I'm fine," Shade responded weakly.
Lance's expression shifted as he glanced at Shade and then back at Drake.
"I don't think you should intervene further," Lance stated without even looking at Shade as he rose to his feet. "You're not strong enough."
This reality had been evident from the outset, but Lance vocalizing it compounded Shade's discomfort as he lowered his head in distress.
"I may not be able to defeat him under these rules," Lance continued, "but I can wear him down before I'm eliminated. Then, you can face him with better odds. For now, trying to battle him while also defending you would be too demanding."
Lance's rationale was sound, although it underscored Shade's incompatibility with the role he was thrust into. It felt as if he could have been substituted with anyone, and the strategy might have functioned, possibly even more effectively. Shade accepted this fact without objection.
"So that's your strategy," Drake interjected suddenly, revealing that he had been eavesdropping on their conversation. "You intend to exhaust me to secure a victory. Where's your thrill for battle?"
Drake's words resonated with Klaus, evoking memories of their own battle. In that duel, Lance had countless opportunities to defeat Klaus but had instead chosen to relish the fight and extend it. However, the situation appeared different in this battle, leaving Klaus puzzled until a realization struck him.
"What if he's genuinely savoring this?" Klaus mused.
During Klaus's clash with Lance, it was plausible that Lance had perceived him as less formidable, leading to a more relaxed approach. Yet, considering the vast difference in combat capabilities between Drake and Klaus, it seemed Lance was still deriving enjoyment from the battle, albeit in a distinct manner. It occurred to Klaus that Lance might have initially planned to relish the fight while ensuring he had the means to secure victory when needed.
Lance swiftly conjured another blade and closed in on Drake.
"Again with these gimmicks?" Drake taunted, effortlessly avoiding Lance's strikes. He deftly sidestepped a swing and directed his hands at Lance, attempting to unleash an explosion. However, before the blast could erupt, Lance summoned a shield, positioning it precisely where Drake had aimed. He then utilized the shield to bash Drake, sending him flying back.
A sly grin returned to Drake's face, and his signature laughter filled the air as he rushed toward Lance. Their duel resumed, but this time, it appeared that Lance was adopting a more defensive stance, likely following his strategy to wear down his opponent.
After a brief exchange of blows, Drake detected a shift in Lance's approach.
"You're not treating this seriously," Drake remarked, his smile fading.
Lance responded with a knowing grin. "You already understand my intentions, don't you?"
This response irked Drake, causing his smile to significantly diminish. "I see," he muttered, turning his attention to Shade, who was observing from the sidelines. "Then I suppose I'll have to eliminate him first."
Drake extended his hands toward Shade, prompting Lance to rush to his teammate's defense with his shield raised. However, it became evident that Drake had a different plan in mind.
"Gotcha," Drake murmured, suddenly appearing beside Lance and kicking him away.
Shade pivoted, realizing the unexpected turn of events, and attempted to employ his shadow manipulation to restrain Drake.
"This again?" Drake scoffed, advancing before Shade could make contact with the floor. He swiftly launched a blow at Shade's chest, targeting his lifeline. Drake used the force of his fist to lift Shade from the ground before slamming him back down. Lance watched the sequence unfold as he rose to his feet, witnessing an unconscious Shade dematerialize.
"I guess you're the last one standing," Drake declared, breaking into laughter.
"I guess so," Lance replied, his expression now grave as he advanced toward Drake. "It seems I need to take this more seriously."
With that statement, Lance extended his right hand outward, employing the familiar motion of summoning a weapon from the Divine Arsenal. Gradually, an unfamiliar golden lance materialized in mid-air, its lengthy steel point gleaming menacingly. The lance well surpassed six feet in length, towering over Lance himself, and featured a sleek design with a lengthy, slim red cloth tied to the beginning of its tip, measuring approximately three feet in length.
"Impossible," Arthur exclaimed, drawing everyone's attention at the spectator's location to him. His statement left them puzzled, and Siren inquired about the cause of his shock.
"What's happening?" Siren asked, seeking an explanation for the sudden astonishment.
Initially reluctant to answer, Arthur eventually decided to divulge the gravity of the situation.
"Be grateful that you all are among the privileged few about to witness my brother's true strength," he said.
"True strength?" Klaus inquired, seeking clarity.
Arthur redirected his gaze back to the screen before elaborating, "I've only witnessed it once, but observe as he wields the greatest weapon in his arsenal... Camelot."
"A spear?" Drake remarked, appearing somewhat unimpressed. "It seems you've regressed in your weapon choices."
"If that's what you believe," Lance responded calmly, "then come... and witness true mastery."
Lance assumed a stance unlike any he had previously demonstrated, and a smile crept across Drake's face as he burst into maniacal laughter, charging toward Lance.
"Impress me, Lance Knight. Make my presence here worthwhile."
Once more, Drake and Lance clashed in combat. Lance's fighting style was a departure from his previous engagements, characterized by grace and fluidity. The noticeable gap between their abilities quickly vanished.
"What's going on?" Trent wondered aloud. "How did the gap between them close so suddenly just by changing weapons?"
"Fool," Arthur replied with folded arms, never taking his eyes off the screen. "A man is more frightening by his mastery of the weapon he wields. My brother has mastered every weapon in the Divine Arsenal, but his mastery of Camelot exceeds them all by an incomprehensible margin. It is only natural that his ferocity has multiplied several times over."
"Has he always spoken in such an archaic manner?" Rose asked Klaus, her curiosity piqued.
"I guess," Klaus replied expectedly.
The battle raged on, and Drake appeared taken aback by the transformation in Lance's abilities.
"He's noticeably faster, and his strikes carry more power. It's as if he's a different person," Drake reflected, acknowledging Lance's newfound strength.
Despite Lance seemingly gaining the upper hand, he struggled to land direct hits on Drake, who adeptly evaded his attacks. Nevertheless, the intensity of the battle and the idea that Lance might have the upper hand brought a wider smile to Drake's face as he continued the fierce exchange with Lance. Their battle continued similarly until Lance managed to land a heavy strike on his opponent.
Drake raised both forearms to block the vertical strike from Lance, anticipating either blocking the attack or breaking Lance's weapon. However, Lance's strike possessed greater force than Drake had anticipated. It caused damage to Drake's arm and sent him hurtling back several meters.
"He landed a hit," Ace noted, drawing attention to the successful strike.
After a brief interval, the sound of the transporting pod echoed in the background of the spectator's area, revealing Riley and Link's return.
The demigods warmly welcomed the returning participants and commended them on their impressive performance. Shade was conspicuously absent, leading them to assume he was receiving medical attention.
Lance approached Drake, who was slowly rising to his feet, still sporting a mischievous grin.
However, as Lance closed the gap between them, the surge of adrenaline coursing through his veins began to subside. It suddenly dawned on him what was happening and how far he had taken the battle. In response, he promptly retracted Camelot back into the Divine Arsenal.
Drake, observing Lance's actions, grew immediately puzzled and questioned his opponent's motives.
"What are you doing? Why did you return it?" Drake questioned.
"Because I had not intended to wield Camelot for minor scenarios like this tournament. It is reserved for use only in dangerous situations."
Lance's reply took Drake by surprise and ignited his anger. His smile vanished, replaced by a stern frown, and he stood up, locking eyes with Lance.
"So you've decided not to take this battle seriously anymore?" Drake's voice had shifted from its earlier maniacal tone to a deeper, more menacing one.
"So it seems," Lance responded, summoning a greatsword once more and charging at Drake.
Drake's demeanor had undergone a noticeable transformation. He appeared more serious, driven by anger rather than passion. As Lance closed in on him and swung his sword, Drake effortlessly evaded the attacks, barely shifting his body but managing to dodge them all. After a while, Drake let out a sigh and made a decisive statement.
"Then I see no reason to continue this fight."
With that declaration, Drake swiftly launched a blow at Lance's lifeline with his fists, and Lance barely managed to use the side of his sword to block the attack.
"I still have some fight left in me," Lance retorted, his passion for the battle still burning.
However, as Drake responded, Lance's eyes widened as he processed the words.
"What good is your passion when you've already been eliminated?"
Lance turned his gaze to his lifeline, which had turned red, indicating his elimination.
"How?" Lance inquired as he slowly began to dematerialize. "I was certain I blocked your attack."
"I suppose it was my fault for trying to savor the battle," Drake responded, his crazed smile returning, indicating that he hadn't necessarily been going all out during their duel.
Eventually, Lance completely vanished from the Colosseum.
"Ash... it seems my presence is no longer necessary," Drake remarked, closing his eyes and taking a deep breath.
Gradually, Drake's body, along with his other distinguishing features, began to revert to its original state before he finally exhaled and transformed back into Ash once more.
When Ash opened his eyes, they were completely white, devoid of pupils, akin to those of the Gods. After a moment, tiny particles of smoke converged at the spot where his pupils would be, eventually forming them.
Finally, after a brief period, Ash and Team Astra were announced as the victors of the battle.